By Burnett Munthali
LUSAKA — The European Parliament has called on Zambian authorities to conduct independent and impartial investigations into the death of former cabinet minister Mutotwe Kafwaya and allegations of arbitrary arrests and intimidation following Zambia’s August 2026 general elections.
Members of the European Parliament adopted a resolution titled “Post-electoral repression in Zambia and the killing of Mutotwe Kafwaya” during a vote in Strasbourg on Thursday, September 17, with 562 members voting in favour, one against and 33 abstaining.
The resolution places Kafwaya’s death at the centre of wider concerns raised by European lawmakers over events that followed the August 13 elections. Parliament called for investigations capable of establishing the circumstances surrounding his death, as well as examining allegations involving the use of force, arrests and intimidation.
Kafwaya, a former Zambian cabinet minister and opposition figure, was fatally shot during a security operation in Kabulonga, Lusaka, on August 14, according to reports. Amnesty International has separately called for a prompt, thorough, independent and transparent investigation, saying the circumstances surrounding the shooting remained unclear.
The European Parliament’s intervention comes against a broader backdrop of concern over Zambia’s post-election environment. The European Union Election Observation Mission said the August 13 election provided voters with a competitive choice but also reported concerns about unequal campaign conditions, restrictions affecting fundamental freedoms and uneven law-enforcement responses.
The Parliament also raised concerns over alleged arbitrary arrests and the treatment of opposition members following the election. The resolution calls on Zambian authorities to respect fundamental rights and ensure that any individuals detained are afforded due process and other legal protections.
The developments have drawn attention beyond Zambia, with international organisations and observers calling for clarity over the events surrounding Kafwaya’s death and the subsequent arrests.
Zambian authorities have disputed some accounts surrounding the security operation. According to reporting by the Associated Press, authorities have said security forces acted in self-defence during a raid, while opposition figures have disputed that account.
The European Parliament’s resolution does not itself determine responsibility for Kafwaya’s death. Instead, it calls for independent investigations to establish the facts and determine accountability where evidence supports it.
The vote adds international pressure for greater transparency over the events that followed Zambia’s 2026 election, particularly the circumstances surrounding Kafwaya’s death and the treatment of opposition figures during the post-election period.
